The Journey Continues.....

Outside of the walls of our school- many of my peers and education leaders tell me how the work we are doing at Hudson is "so advanced and cutting-edge."  When I begin to disagree with them, they often share stories about their school and the rest of the city.  I don't compare our school to the rest of the city- or even the country. I compare Hudson to the concept paper and vision of Hudson High School- a document that all Hudson educators have read.  (I wonder how many students have read it)  We are still working towards building the vision.

This weekend I've spent a lot of time thinking about the instructional technology within our school.
I keep thinking about the comment shared at Friday's Common Planning Time meeting- "We should be a web 3.0 School"  As a certified Educational Technology Specialist, I feel a responsibility and pressure from myself for modeling best practices, both as a collaborative team-teacher as well as a technology specialist.  I often find a loss of ideas and time to put something together and offer suggestions to my team.  There are many new tools and resources available that I haven't been able to explore and consider. Am I doing the best that I can?

I remember from my graduate classes some of the pillars necessary for  successful technology implementation- training, training, training and ongoing training.  This is something that I sometimes seek through my PLN, but do not often share and discuss with my colleagues.  I am learning in isolation.  The web 2.0 tools that I've worked with and designed 5 years ago are obsolete at Hudson now.   I've spent the least amount of time on technology related training this year.  I had many other teaching and personal priorities and pushed this one aside.  We are doing this work while building a new school.  Many teachers are wearing multiple hats.

I am both hopeful and nervous about what July training will bring (as a result of our innovative calendar, we have three weeks of planning with colleagues- I will miss this calendar).  How will our planning time be organized?  There are so many ways we can use this time and continue to develop as a school.  Two years ago, before the school was even open, we were talking about tools we need for technology-based learning.  One year ago, we were talking about tools we need for blended learning. The conversation has once again continued this year about the tools we need for quality instruction and use of iLearn time.  I've saved notes in google docs of all of our conversations- starting with re-configuring an existing LMS (learning management system) to designing our own LMS, to avoiding the use of an LMS altogether.

As we continue to evolve, it gets more clear- the conversation has always been around quality instruction and we are struggling with figuring out how to do this in the best way.  We have the tools and data from what we've done, now teachers are asking- how can we do this better?  Throughout this school year, we've spent time revising our competencies, habits of mind and continued to map out and re-design curriculum.  There is room to grow and a willingness (for some, it's a request) to continue to develop.  The energy at Hudson is often around how to do this better.  We question each other on why we are doing what we are doing.    All staff members are making decisions based on what they believe is best for our students.
We are still not there yet (will we ever be?)- but we are getting better at this.

Wait, that's not what I meant.........

It came out wrong. What you heard isn't what I meant.  

Today Hudson HSLT held our PTA meeting and one of the topics was the new schedule.  

We are looking to start a new schedule in September with three months of instruction and one month off.  It would look like this:

Term 1
September, October, November
Off-December

Term 2
January, February, March
Off-April

Term 3
May, June, July
Off- August

One parent raised the question- should we ask students if they want the new schedule?

I responded with hesitation.  "I wouldn't want to ask students without knowing what to do with responses.  What if students say they do not want it because of their friends and we go forward with it anyway?   If so, then do we really have student voice?  I would feel awful if they had a say and then saw their voice meant nothing".  

Since the meeting I have not stopped thinking about the parent question.  It was a great question and I didn't reflect enough upon my response before speaking.  
I  have asked a few students what they think of the new schedule and I know some  advisors have had this discussion.  Although these conversations are happening, we do not have a forum to know of them.  Maybe the question isn't if they want it- but maybe it's about how they feel about it?

When I feared for students not being heard,   I removed their right to speak at all.  What I meant to say came out wrong.  I want to hear what students think.  I would like to know what struggles they think they will face, and they should be part of the conversation.  

Changing summer break is not a big deal for me.  If I were 15 would I feel the same?

PTA meetings are crucial to our development as a school.  The parent this evening who raised that question made change happen.  It was your parent who spoke up for you.   

We have a forum.

Students have a voice- and now a space to share it.  


Post your thoughts about the new schedule here in the comments section, speak with your advisor, find me for a conversation or send an email.  

The final Term: A Reflection

We have officially entered the 4th term at Hudson. Where have we been? Where are we now? Where are we going? These are popular questions that we've explored in our course this year. Take a minute to comment on the topics below: 1) Where Have we been? - Throughout the Hudson Journey- From September until Now - What are some things that you have discovered? Any interesting stories? What are some struggles and successes to reflect upon? What are some ways to improve what we are doing? 2) Where are we going? - What is next for us? What are some things you would like to see? Students- Please use your initals and class tree when posting. Maximum credit is awarded to students who respond to other student posts as well. You can post more than once.

What Hudson does in Math- Join us!

Reminder to all interested:

Dear Participant,

You are registered to attend today’s Math webinar from 3:30 – 4:30pm led by Amanda Chevere from Brownsville Academy High School and Grace O'Keeffe from Hudson High School.
In order to participate, you will need a computer with Internet access and a phone or computer headset.
To join the webinar please click on the following link: https://nycdoemeetings.webex.com/nycdoemeetings/j.php?ED=162338097&UID=0&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
Enter your name and email address and press "join now." In addition, you will need to call 1-877-669-3239 and enter the Meeting Number: 995 959 276 to access the audio. You can also opt to receive a call to your phone or computer headset by following the prompts.



Global/US history is tomorrow!

Ask Questions

Questions.

Questions can be thoughtful. Asking the right questions in the right way can get you the information you seek.


What are you interested in finding out more about?

What is your passion?

iLearn College and Career prep assignment

What are you passionate about? What is important to you?

Students-
Compose a short journal entry about what you are passionate about. Avoid using your name. Use only your initials and class color when posting.

How to do this:
Open a word document
Type your thoughts
Proofread your text
Click the word comment below
Paste your thoughts

It is good practice to first write and save your blog post in a Word document (or google document) so that it can be proofread for spelling, grammar and if the webpage times out, your entire work is not lost. When you post something online, you should put your best


Once you are finished with your posting, feel free to respond to other student posts.

GoAnimate.com: fun by jose.parra


Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

Educon: My Top Ten (in progress)

This has been an unbelievable weekend. There are some great takeaways

1) They chose us. They believe in what we do.

2) Research is learning- not a paper. Great research resources from an exceptional LMS. http://www.slideshare.net/bentonlibrary

3) All courses at Hudson focus on our own set of core values- we call these our habits of mind.

4) What do I teach? Students. I teach them through my content area.

5) Reflection is not only necessary, but becomes more meaningful when you have an audience of

6) Library Media Specialists (LMS) are seriously powerful people to have within a school and co-teach within a classroom setting to assist with the research process. http://www.findingdulcinea.com/

7)

8)

9)

10) (To be continued)

Hudson @ Educon

Professional development- evaluating and improving the systematic and intentional practice of what we do. How do we make this meaningful for students?

Hudson is at Educon!!! Join the conversations from home


Check out the #educon stream and watch live at http://educon23.org/live

Live Interview on Monday Jan. 24 - Karen Cator on the National Education Technology Plan

3pm Monday afternoon

The National Education Technology Plan

Live Interview on Monday Jan. 24 - Karen Cator on the National Education Technology Plan
Reposted from SteveHargadon.com

A Tech Guide: Great Resource for Educators

While reading blog postings last evening, I stumbled upon this one from Steve Hargadon www.stevehargadon.com


A tech guide for teachers

http://issuu.com/mzimmer557/docs/tools_for_the_21st_century_teacher?mode=embed&layout=http%3A//skin.issuu.com/v/light/layout.xml

Where we're going

I owe a few more posts to get caught up on where we are.
until then,


Today we met with the research and development team from the iZone. We shared our confidential feelings about the iLearn program here at Hudson, and teachers were very honest.
It is easy to say something is not working. It is easy to abandon it. We know that because we have a lot of resistance to our new ways of instruction.


Of all the suggestions for improvement, I leave there with two enduring thoughts.

1) We have an amazing team of dedicated, devoted, supportive staff members.
One piece of cool feedback that repeated in the discussion is we need more time! The thought was that we spend too much time sorting through our Virtual Learning platforms to design a meaningful lesson.

A follow up was that we WANT to design our own content, or at least be able to modify existing content to fit our needs and compliment what we are doing in the classroom.



- we are wasting time finding what works from what is available
- we wouldn't mind taking even more time per week if we were able to customize it and make it fit our needs.

What I conclude from this is that our struggle is not time. It is that we want to spend our time making something meaningful. Isn't this what we want for our students too?


2) You learn from your environment.
Staff feel supported. Distributive leadership is a huge strength in our school. Staff are frustrated but do not give up hope, and are motivated to continue to learn more.
We have great energy and through all the changes involved to get us where we are, we are making it through.

We have hope-"We know what it can be- it is just not there yet."

Dear Google, you are amazing.

Today I was sending an email out with an attachment and after clicking send, google popped up a little reminder

"you wrote in your email that you are attaching a file- but you didn't attach one- would you like to do that now?"

Oh how happy that silly feature has made me.

Hybrid Classes

Hudson offers a blended model for students: Face-to-Face classes twice per week for 110 minutes and 70 minutes and one 70 minute online class for each content area subject. The goal is for the online classes to be independently managed, but they are part of student programs for now.

Example:
Your history course with Mr. Hendricks- 3x per week
History 70 minute Class
110 minute Class
70 minute online (ilearn) class - independently managed

These three classes combine to create your World History grade.





How we are different:

By blended, we mean that students are taking the same course both face to face and online. Hybrid seems to suggest a mix of classes that are entirely online or entirely face to face.



Hybrid models are becoming more popular- what about blended models?







Hybrid Classes Prepare Students for the Work Force
By Tanya Roscorla
ON NOVEMBER 5, 2010 COLLEGE AND CAREER
At a number of community colleges and districts around the country, students take online classes. But they don't just take typical academic courses like English or math. They also take career and technical courses.
Out of 301 community colleges surveyed for a report by the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education, 47.5 percent offer credit-granting online occupational programs.
As for the number of K-12 students who take online career and technical education courses, research hasn't pinned that down. But anecdotal evidence suggests that the course numbers are growing, according to a paper released by the Association for Career and Technical Education this week.
“The important part of this issue is that people recognize that you can in fact teach some of the employability and technical skills online," said Steve DeWitt, senior director of public policy at the association.
With a mix of online and hands-on learning, school districts and community colleges teach students the skills they need to enter their chosen careers.

Meet the needs of students
In Pennsylvania, the Seneca Valley School District provides flexibility for kids through its online program.
"I don’t think everybody’s going to be a brick-and-mortar kid," said Superintendent Don Tylinsky, "and I think what that entails then is offering the ability for kids to think outside the box and for us to do things outside the box, and the thing that creates that is technology."
The online courses fill a niche that brick and mortar doesn't offer to certain students, said Mark Korcinsky, principal of Seneca Valley Senior High School. Some students just don't like the school setting or prefer the flexibility of spending time online and in an internship.
“Any time we can offer kids what they want, it’s a benefit for the kids,” he said.
At Iowa Western Community College, some students in the emergency medical technician program don't have time to go to campus two nights a week. They have families and jobs, and a number of them take the course so they can volunteer as emergency medical technicians, said Cherri Lynch, the emergency medical services coordinator at the college.
“We thought if we could put part of the program online so they could access it on their time schedule, that it might be advantageous to some of the students, and we would be able to cater to a class of students that we hadn’t been able to accommodate before," Lynch said.

Mix online, hands-on learning
Online, students access lectures, take exams and quizzes, and participate in threaded discussions. And on campus, they spend five Saturdays practicing the hands-on skills they need.
When they take their national certification tests, the students who pick the blended approach score as high or higher than the traditional classroom students, Lynch said.
Seneca Valley School District also takes a blended learning approach.
“What we’ve tried to do is marry the two so that not only are they taking the course online, but they’re also interning at the same time,” Tylinski said.
One young man is taking a diesel repair course while working on the township's automobiles and trucks. He told Tylinski that the combination of the course and the internship helps him understand what he's learning.

Make the leap
To improve online career and technical education, the Association for Career and Technical Education paper recommends four strategies for policy-makers and education leaders to take:
• Provide the resources, including infrastructure, to increase the number of schools that offer career and technical education opportunities online.
• Set up programs of study so that students can finish a sequence of courses within a specific track.
• Offer high-quality professional development for online instructors.
• Keep improving the integration of online and face-to-face learning, which has brought in high student achievement results and allows schools to continue expanding the number of subjects taught online.
Education leaders also have some advice to share.
Lynch recommends that program directors dedicate someone to answer student questions in the threaded discussions online, which she said takes quite a bit of time.
And Tylinksi advises leaders to dive into online career and technical education courses.
“You just can’t be afraid to take a risk," he said. "You sort of have to jump in with two feet because I think you have to meet the needs of kids today, and the old traditional way of teaching is just not going to make it. Kids growing up today are used to technology, they’re used to working in front of a computer — good or bad — and we need to meet those learning styles.”


http://www.convergemag.com/college-career/Hybrid-Classes-Prepare-Students-for-Careers.html

Grades- A discussion

Thinking about Grades

"There are no right or wrong systems, only systems which accomplish different objectives"


Do we know our objectives for students? Are our systems clear to students?




Link to Text- Some Pertinent Questions about Grading

Questions Explored through the text:
1. Should grades reflect absolute achievement level or
achievement relative to others in the same class?

2. Should grades reflect achievement only or nonacademic
components such as attitude, speed and diligence?

3. Should grades report status achieved or amount of
growth?

4. How can several grades on diverse skills combine to
give a single mark?

How do you decide?!

The Global Education Conference is coming up shortly-

"The 2010 Global Education Conference will be held November 15 - 19, 2010, online and free. Sessions will be held in multiple time zones and multiple languages over the five days"


http://www.globaleducationconference.com/index.html


There are sessions for teachers, students and leadership. Take the time to browse through the sessions and try to attend one if you can. They are all online and use elluminate (like Webex)

Glitches

My password doesn't work

the page closes after I hit next

my battery is dying

I can't view the page

it says I need a plugin

I don't have access to view the page

I am in the wrong class

I am not in a class

I don't know what to do

It is the wrong language

The page won't load

I have no internet

It deleted my information

Day by day, we are getting through the glitches. The path we are building is less fuzzy. As a blended learning school, technology is an integral part, and we are modeling how to overcome obstacles.

We have to remember why we are here- what we are doing. Technology is frustrating when it goes wrong- and it often goes wrong. We are learning - and modeling- the skills of how to solve problems, have backup plans and practice patience.

I need to get out of the FIRE BOX!

According to the priority principle, described by Stephen Covey, items on a to-do list can fall into a matrix of four options- Urgent, non-urgent, important and non-important. When mapped out, you can place your must complete tasks in a quadrant, and it will inform you the priority of these tasks

ILearn Language Choices

Updated: September 27th, 2010
ALL STUDENTS - please complete

PD thoughts

http://xserve.aneedu.com/groups/izoneschools/wiki/14e44/Social_Studies_1.html